Program: Sociology, B.A. - College of Wooster

Jul 28, 2025

2022-2023 Catalogue

FACULTY:
Setsuko Matsuzawa, Chair
Christa Craven
Elizabeth Derderian
Heather Fitz Gibbon
Pamela Frese
David McConnell
Michael Miyawaki
Olivia Navarro-Farr
Anne Nurse
Siavash Samei
Zareen Thomas
Thomas Tierney

The Department of Sociology and Anthropology offers a diverse curriculum exploring the institutions and processes that maintain and change human societies. Our program places special emphasis on the development of students’ ability to analyze contemporary social and cultural issues, and their problem-solving and research skills. Students choose a major in either Sociology or Anthropology, but all majors are introduced to the concepts, methods and theories appropriate to research in both disciplines.

Sociology

The basic challenge in sociology is to understand ourselves and others more fully. The discipline asks us to probe beneath the surface and to question why people behave as they do, especially in group situations. The sociological perspective asks us to question what we often take for granted, why our society operates as it does, and how our social arrangements could be different.

Major in Sociology

Consists of twelve courses:

SOCI 10000 - Introduction to Sociology
ANTH 11000 - Introduction to Anthropology
One of the following courses:
SOCI 20700 - Sociology of Gender
SOCI 20900 - Inequality in America
SOCI 21400 - Racial and Ethnic Groups in American Society
SOCI 21600 - Masculinities
SOCI 29907 - Social Justice and the City
SOAN 34000 - Ethnographic Research
SOAN 34100 - Social Statistics
SOCI 35000 - Classical Social Theory
SOCI 35100 - Contemporary Social Theory
Two elective Sociology courses (see Special Notes below)
One elective Sociology, Anthropology, or Sociology/Anthropology (SOAN) course (see note below)
Junior Independent Study: (see Special Notes below)
SOCI 45100 - Independent Study Thesis
SOCI 45200 - Independent Study Thesis

Special Notes

A second or third course from SOCI 20700 , SOCI 20900 , SOCI 21400 , SOCI 21600 , or SOCI 29907 may count as electives for the requirements for the major. A second methods course (SOAN 34000 or SOAN 34100) may count as electives for the requirements for the minor.
Junior Independent Study: The College requirement of a unit of Independent Study in the junior year is satisfied by completing SOCI 35000 or SOCI 35100 prior to Senior Independent Study.
Sociology majors who elect to participate in the 3-2 program in Social Work at Case Western Reserve University (see Pre-Professional and Dual Degree Programs ) must complete all requirements in the major except Senior Independent Study. Students should see the department chairperson for more details about this arrangement.
Teaching Licensure: Students should consult with the chairpersons of Sociology and Anthropology and of Education.
Only grades of C- or better are accepted for the major or minor.
Students may not major in Sociology and minor in Anthropology, nor are they allowed to double major in the two disciplines. Additionally, Sociology majors may not double major with Archaeology.